It would seem to signal the end of the line for the heavily scrutinized, widely polarizing former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round draft pick. Just two seasons ago, Tebow led the Denver Broncos to a come-from-behind division title and a stunning overtime playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers — and since then he has been traded once and cut twice.

Tebow could be brought back to the Patriots or signed by another team once all players pass through waivers Sunday night. But the odds are against a team adding him at this point after coach Bill Belichick took a chance on him, then chose not to keep him as his third quarterback or at any other position.

In Thursday’s preseason finale in Foxborough, Tebow played the second half, throwing two touchdown passes and one interception, rushing for 30 yards and getting sacked four times in a win over the New York Giants. He did not play at all the previous week in Detroit. His completion percentage for the preseason, on 30 pass attempts, was 36.7.

The Patriots signed Tebow on June 11, 43 days after the New York Jets released him on April 29. If he's on an NFL roster for the first week of the regular season, he will be playing for his third team in four seasons.

"I will remain in relentless pursuit of continuing my lifelong dream of being an NFL quarterback," he tweeted Saturday.

But with the regular season just five days away, his chances of immediately catching on with another team seem slim.

Tebow thanked owner Robert Kraft, Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels after failing to survive the Patriots' roster cut to 53. He also thanked the "entire Patriots organization for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such a classy organization."

Meanwhile, the Patriots chose to keep tight end Rob Gronkowski on the 53-man roster rather than place him on the physically unable to perform list. Had he been placed on the PUP list, he would not have been able to play in the season's first six weeks.